Bexar County Sheriff's Office increasing patrols on Northeast Side after uptick in violent crime

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office can be seen investigating a shooting on the Northeast Side earlier this month. The sheriff's office has set up a mobile substation on the Northeast Side in response to a recent uptick of violent crime in the area.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office can be seen investigating a shooting on the Northeast Side earlier this month. The sheriff's office has set up a mobile substation on the Northeast Side in response to a

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office can be seen investigating a shooting on the Northeast Side earlier this month. The sheriff's office has set up a mobile substation on the Northeast Side in response to a recent uptick of violent crime in the area.

The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office can be seen investigating a shooting on the Northeast Side earlier this month. The sheriff's office has set up a mobile substation on the Northeast Side in response to a

Bexar County Sheriff's Office increasing patrols on Northeast Side after uptick in violent crime

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The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office has set up a mobile substation on the Northeast Side in response to a recent uptick of violent crime in the area.

The substation, housed in a large marked vehicle, is parked near the intersection of FM 78 and Walzem Road. Deputies are available to receive tips or concerns from residents, Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a news conference Monday.

Deputies will also increase patrols in the area. The response was prompted by a series of shootings, including several where vehicles and buildings were struck by bullets.

Salazar described a May 12 incident in which a man asked for a person at a home on the 8700 block of Glen Mont Drive. He fired at the building when he was informed that the person no longer lived there.

On Friday, a homeowner who lives on the 8100 block of Steep Valley heard gunshots nearby and found bullet holes in his front window and television. Several children were home at the time.

“Thankfully nobody was injured as a result of that indiscriminate shooting,” Salazar said.

That was not the case during a shooting Wednesday in the 6600 block of Lake View Drive. Two men were hospitalized after an unknown male shot them outside a laundromat. The victims told police they were meeting the man to exchange an XBox for cash.

The sheriff noted the area is known for gangs and that the incidents could be linked, but he did not want to prematurely ascribe them all to one individual. Salazar said someone could be trying to make a name for themselves or instill fear in area residents.

Hours later, Salazar said an arrest was made in the Lake View shooting.

Taron Larry Bowie, 23, is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony. He is also accused of possessing marijuana and unlawful carry of weapon, which Salazar called “an AR-15-type pistol.”

“While the negotiations were ongoing for the XBox, it appears that this suspect, Mr. Bowie, stepped out from behind the building where he’d been hiding and started shooting at the ... victims,” Salazar said.

A 19-year-old man was shot in the back, an 18 year-old man was shot in the foot and a 23-year-old escaped injury, Salazar said.

“We believe, that this suspect and at least one other, were luring these victims to the location under the pretenses of purchasing this XBox from them, probably in hopes of robbing them of whatever they had or whatever merchandise they may have had,” Salazar said.

Residents should err on the side of caution and report suspicious people or vehicles, Salazar said. He reminded people they can report crimes or offer tips to the Sheriff’s Office at 210-335-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.